logo
episode-header-image
May 2023
42m 8s

The Biggest Threat to the West

THE TIMES
About this episode

Sir Richard Dearlove began his career in the intelligence services at the height of the Cold War, and went on to become 'C' - the head of MI6. He tells Matt what he thinks will happen to Putin, Trump, and why China is the biggest threat to the West today.


Plus: Columnists Manveen Rana and Matthew Parris discuss Rishi Sunak backing away from his pledge on migration, whether Nigel Farage should be in the House of Lords, and which politicians sell the most Toby Jugs.



Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Up next
Today
PMQs: Most Chaotic Budget Yet?
<p>The OBR may have mistakenly released Reeves' budget too early, but it was just in time for Prime Minister's Questions.&nbsp;</p><br><p>Hugo Rifkind unpacks the exchanges with The Times' Chief Political Correspondent Patrick Maguire.</p><hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75e ... Show More
23m 8s
Yesterday
Another 'Omnishambles' Budget?
<p>Rachel Reeves has told Labour MPs she'll survive Wednesday's budget, and be back for years to come. Is it set to be worse than previous budget disasters, including George Osborne's 'omnishambles' in 2012?</p><br><p>Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Ed Vaizey an ... Show More
32m 31s
Nov 24
Is the Chancellor Still In Control?
<p>It’s been a year since Rachel Reeves told the CBI she'd steer clear of extra borrowing or new tax rises. After a weekend spent defending her position, is the Chancellor really in control?</p><br><p>Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Seb Payne and Charlotte Ivers ... Show More
30m 31s
Recommended Episodes
Jan 2024
Trump embraces conspiracist QAnon cult
Flagged as a terror threat, the group makes outlandish threats about the former president’s foes. Plus - disagreements between Ukraine’s military and political leaders grow, and a colourful billionaire becomes king of Malaysia.Your daily round-up of the biggest stories from acros ... Show More
10m 20s
Feb 2023
Will Volodymyr Zelensky secure British jets for Ukraine?
Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelensky visited London this week, meeting with the UK Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak. It is only his second trip abroad since the war with Russia began, after heading to America in December. Megan Gibson in London and Ido Vock in Berlin are joined by t ... Show More
28m 35s
Oct 2019
Former Secretary of Defense James Mattis on Syria, Leadership and Top National Security Threats
In this episode of Intelligence Matters, former Secretary of Defense Gen. James Mattis (ret) speaks with host Michael Morell about his military career, and the value of strategic leadership, and the top national security challenges facing the country. The former U.S. Marine Corps ... Show More
44m 24s
Nov 2023
Is Westminster ready for the return of Donald Trump?
With opinion polls showing Donald Trump beating President Joe Biden in key battleground states a year out from the next U.S. election, podcast host Jack Blanchard asks whether Westminster is even remotely ready for the prospect of a second Trump presidency. Britain's former Ambas ... Show More
45m 27s
Jan 2024
Ex-CIA & MI6 Leaders on Top 2024 Threats
International terrorism is coming back—that’s the stark warning from former Acting Director of the CIA Michael Morell. Following the January 6th insurrection in Washington, the United States government agencies said that far-right groups posed the greatest threat to national secu ... Show More
43m 57s
Jul 2018
Imran Khan’s challenges as Pakistan’s prime minister
Imran Khan, who entered politics in 1996 after retiring from international cricket, is on track to become Pakistan’s next prime minister after an election clouded with accusations of vote rigging. But with an economic crisis looming for the next government to tackle, will he be a ... Show More
10m 38s
Nov 2022
Great political comebacks
Following Rishi Sunak's unprecedented 50-day turnaround from defeated leadership candidate to U.K. prime minister, Westminster Insider host Jack Blanchard looks back at some of the great political comebacks of our times. Guests include Peter Mandelson, who shocked Westminster — a ... Show More
50m 19s
May 2024
Rishi Sunak tries to rally Conservatives
<p>UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak tries to revive Conservative morale with a speech in London, four Chinese generative artificial intelligence start-ups have been valued at more than $1bn in the past three months, and US shale oil companies are under the spotlight over allegations ... Show More
12m 28s